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Head-to-head · Secure Notes Apps

Standard Notes vs PrivacyNotes

  • Updated Oct 2026
  • Both researched from official sources
  • 4 checks side by side
Higher score Standard Notes #2 in Secure Notes Apps 9.0/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 2 of 3 features Visit Standard Notes
PrivacyNotes #4 in Secure Notes Apps 8.6/10 Free plan Free plan✓ 3 of 3 features Visit PrivacyNotes

Standard Notes leads on 0 checks, PrivacyNotes on 0, and 4 are even. Who comes out ahead on the 4 yes/no, price and count checks where we have data for both products. The editor score weighs everything else too.

Our verdict

  • Highest scoreStandard Notes · 9.0/10
  • Free planboth
  • Most featuresPrivacyNotes · 3 of 3

Standard Notes scores higher on our rubric for secure notes apps: 9.0 against 8.6 out of 10; our editors rank them #2 and #4.

Standard Notes is the better fit for cross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors. PrivacyNotes is the better fit for privacy-focused personal note-taking across devices.

  • Standard Notes fits best

    Cross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors

  • PrivacyNotes fits best

    Privacy-focused personal note-taking across devices

Advertiser disclosure: iTechGuides is reader-supported. Vendors can pay for top positions in our rankings and for a place on other products' pages, and we may earn a commission when you click some links. Bought places stand at the number bought; this page and our disclosure say so. Paying vendors may get a fuller, more detailed review from our editors, and that review can change their score. How we rank.

Side by side

Feature Standard Notes 9.0/10 Visit ↗ PrivacyNotes 8.6/10 Visit ↗
At a glance
Editor score 9.0 8.6
Ranking #2 in Secure Notes Apps #4 in Secure Notes Apps
Best for Cross-platform encrypted notes with rich editors Privacy-focused personal note-taking across devices
Pricing model Free plan + paid Free plan + paid
Starting price $90/yr —
Free plan ✓ ✓
Free trial — —
Deployment Cloud, Self-hosted, Desktop, Mobile Cloud, Desktop, Mobile
Platforms Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android Web, Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, Android
Support Email, Community, Docs Docs
Integrations 3 integrations 13 integrations
Built for Solo, Small business Solo, Small business
Features Standard Notes 2/3 · PrivacyNotes 3/3
Offline access ✓ ✓
Open source ✓ ✓
File attachments Not checked yet ✓ (best)
Specs
Encryption model Not checked yet End_to_end
Supported platforms web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android web, windows, macos, linux, ios, android
Export formats Not checked yet Markdown, JSON, HTML, PDF, encrypted backups
Our review
Pros
  • End-to-end encryption covers notes and files
  • Works offline and syncs across unlimited devices on the free plan
  • Paid plans add rich editors, revision history, and encrypted storage
  • Encrypts data on the device before synchronization
  • Works offline with automatic resynchronization
  • Supports imports, exports, attachments, and six platforms
Cons
  • Rich text, Markdown, and other advanced editors require a paid plan
  • Professional costs $120 per year
  • Read-only note sharing; no real-time collaborative editing
  • Free sync is limited to two devices and 50 MB
  • No shared workspaces or team administration
  • Founded in 2026, so its maturity track record is shorter
Our verdict

Standard Notes is an end-to-end encrypted notes app for people who want private writing and organization across web, desktop, and mobile. Its free Standard plan includes unlimited device sync, plain text notes, offline access, tags, and…

Read the review →

PrivacyNotes is an end-to-end encrypted workspace for personal notes, tasks, files, journal entries, bookmarks, and vault items. It is designed for individual users who want private information available across web, Windows, macOS, Linux,…

Read the review →
  1. Standard NotesSecure Notes Apps 9.0Free plan
  2. PrivacyNotesSecure Notes Apps 8.6Free plan

Strengths and trade-offs

  • Standard Notes — where it wins

    • End-to-end encryption covers notes and files
    • Works offline and syncs across unlimited devices on the free plan
    • Paid plans add rich editors, revision history, and encrypted storage

    Where it doesn't

    • Rich text, Markdown, and other advanced editors require a paid plan
    • Professional costs $120 per year
    • Read-only note sharing; no real-time collaborative editing

  • PrivacyNotes — where it wins

    • Encrypts data on the device before synchronization
    • Works offline with automatic resynchronization
    • Supports imports, exports, attachments, and six platforms

    Where it doesn't

    • Free sync is limited to two devices and 50 MB
    • No shared workspaces or team administration
    • Founded in 2026, so its maturity track record is shorter

More comparisons

All secure notes apps comparisons → · Full ranking →

Reviewed by iTechGuides Editors · Editorial team · Updated Oct 2026

Last updated · How we research and update